Stretcher.



F. L. GODDARD.

STRETOHEE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB 17,1908.

2 BHEETSSHEET 1.

jwwewtoz Fl. fi m/Jam Patented Apr. 20, 1909.

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F. L. GODDARD.

STRETOHBR. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 17,1908.

0 w 2 T w nu (IVE WK! 2 B I! J I: I n mm l A w 6 6, .fu m 4 Ma V l 7 w h A J iii-I' l w FRED LELAND GODDARD, OF DOUGLAS, DISTRICT OF ALAShA.

STRETCHER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED LELAND Gon- DARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Douglas, District of Alaska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stretcher-s; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in'the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in stretchers.

The object of the invention is to provide a stretcher having means whereby. the occupant may be securely strapped and bound thereon so that the stretcher may be turned at various angles or in diiferent positions without danger of the occupant falling off.

With this object in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the stretcher showing the manner in which an occupant is bound thereon; Fig. 2 is a similar view with the binding flaps thrown back showing the arrangement of the body and limb binding straps and the supporting straps; Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the interior arrangement of the stretcher; and Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the arrangement of the stretcher when not in use.

In the embodiment of the invention, 1 provide a rigid frame, 1, of oblong shape and formed of anysuitable material, said frame being shown in the present instance as formed of metal'tubing or gas pipe, arranged within the frame 1, and adapted to be secured thereto is a fabric bottom, 2, around the edges of which is arranged a series of lacing eyelets, 3, through which is passed a lacing cord or rope, 4, which is passedaround the side and end bars of the frame between each of the lacing eyelets as shown, thereby securely fastening the bottom to the frame.

Secured to the bottom, 2, adjacent to its side edges are longitudinally disposed binding flaps, 5, which are adapted to be brought over the occupant of the stretcher. The flaps, 5, are provided along their free edges with a series of lacing eyelets through which are adapted to be passed'lacing straps, 6,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 17, 1908.

Patented Apri120, 1909.

Serial No. 416,400. I

by means of which said flaps are. securely bound together around the occupant.

In the bottom, 2, to one side of the center is formed a triangular opening, which is adapted to be closed bya removable flap, 7, saidopening being providedv for sanitary purposes. I

At one end of the bottom, 2, is secured a pillow, 8, in one end of which is formed a pocket, 9, said pocket being closed by a flap, 10. The pocket is provided for the reception of bandages, absorbent cotton and similar articles adapted for use in cases of emergency.

Secured to the bottom, 2, near one end, is a body binding strap, or belt, 12, whilebeloW said belt, 12, are secured the lower ends of supporting straps, 13, the upper ends of which are secured farther up on the bot-- tom, the upper and lower ends of said straps being adapted to be adjustably connected together by buckles or other fastening devices. The lower ends of the supporting straps are preferably padded as shown at 14, and are adapted to be passed between the legs of the occupant and to be buckled to thelower ends of the upper sections of the strap, said upper sections being passed over the thighs of the occupant, thus forming a support and holding device by means of which the occupant would be held-on the stretcher should the latter be stood on end.

Secured to the lower portion of the bottom are upper and lower leg binding devices, 15 and 16, said devices being preferably formed of broad strips of canvas or other suitable fabric and riveted or otherwise secured to said bottom. To the canvas binding devices are secured straps, 17, which are adapted to be buckled together to bind said canvas devices around the legs of the occupant, thus securely binding the legs to the bottom. The leg binding devices, 15 and 16, besides serving to bind the legs to the bottom are also adapted for binding splints, 18, to the leg, whereby in case of a fracture, the limb may be held rigidly. If desired, the splints may also be-secured at their upper ends by the body strap or belt, 12. v

To the inner side of one of the flaps, 5, are secured splint holding strips, in which a number of splints may be secured to the stretcher ready for use when needed.

A stretcher constructed and arranged as herein shown and described provides for the binding of the occupant thereon in such a manner that the stretcher may be turned at various angles or stood on end without danger ol' the occupant falling off and thus enabling the stretcher to be carried through narrow passages where stretchers of the ordinary cmlstruction could not be used. The stretcluu may also be used as a convenient means of restraint for securing delirious or insane persons and may also be suitably supported and employed as a cot.

llaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let tors-Patent, is:

l. A stretcher comprising a frame, a fabric bottom, means to stretch said bottom in said frame, binding flaps secured to said bottom adjacent to the side edges thereof, an adjustable bmly-binding strap, supporting strays adapted to be engaged with the thighs to support the body when thestretcher is in an inclined position, and adjustable limb and splint binding bands whereby each lower limb may be separately bound to said bottom and whereby splints may be bound to each limb, substantially as described.

2. A stretcher comprising a frame, a fabric bottom, means to stretch said bottom in said frame, binding flaps secured to said bottom adjacent to the side edges thereof, said flaps having lacing eyelets along their free edges, a lacing strap adapted to secure the edges of said flap together over the occupant of the stretcher, a pillow secured to one end of the stretcher bottom, a pocket formed in said pillow, a body binding strap, supporting straps adapted to be engaged with the thighs to support the body when the stretcher is in an inclined position, and lower limb and splint binding straps whereby each limb may be separately bound to said bottom and whereby splints may be bound to the limbs, substantially as described.

'A stretcher comprising a frame, a fabric bottom having lacing eyelets along its edges, a lacing cord adapted to secure the edges of the bottom to said frame, binding flaps secured to said bottom adjacent to its opposite side edges, means to secure the free edges of said flaps together over the occupant of the stretcher, body-supporting and binding straps, wide limb and splint binding bands secured to said bottom whereby the limbs may be separately bound down and whereby splints may be bound to thelimbs, and fastening straps secured to the free ends of said bands, substantially as described.

4. Astretcher comprising a frame, a fabric bottom having lacing eyelets along its edges, a lacing cord adapted to secure the edges of the bottom to said frame, binding flaps secured to the bottom adjacent to its opposite side edges, means to secure the free edges of said flaps together over the occu mm of the stretcher, body-supporting and inding straps, limb and splint binding bands whereby the lower limbs may be separately bound to said bottom and whereby splints may be bound to the limbs, fastening straps on said bands, and splint holding devices whereby splints may be carried in the stretcher in readiness for use, substantially as described.

5. A stretcher con'iprising a frame, a fabric bottom having lacing eyelets along its edges, a lacing cord adapted to secure the edges of the bottom to said frame, binding flaps secured to the bottom adjacent to its opposite side edges, means to secure the free edges of said flaps together over the occupant of the stretcher, body-supporting and binding straps, limb and splint binding bands whereby the lower limbs may be separately bound to said bottom and whereby splints may be bound to the limbs, fastening straps on said bands, a splint-carrying pocket and fastening straps secured to one of the stretcher flaps whereby splints may be carried in position for use, and a combined pillow and pocket arranged at one end of the stretcher, said pocket having a closing flap, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRED LELAND GODDARD.

l/Vitnesses:

MARJORIE It. CLUNAs, ELIZABETH GILLIGAN. 

